.. but that the Wizards are just a bad team. I also have the terrible feeling that Gilbert’s surgery resulted in a permanent impairment, and that his increased efforts to become a distributor are because he realizes that a major part of his game is irretrievably gone. It’s a pessimistic outlook, but every game seems to lend new credence to these thoughts.

Bad result. I’m not feeling very optimistic about the Wizards right now, but I’m waiting to see if some easier games can get things going before I panic. There are some easier games coming up.The toughest game in the next 7 is at Miami. If the team doesn’t win at least 4 of those seven, then EG should start wheeling and dealing.

We need to face facts. Butler all of a sudden stinks and I just don’t see it changing. Arenas is an absolute nut job and despite Flip saying he has a high basketball IQ, may be the single worst and dumbest player to ever average more than 26 points a game. I often watch his D and seriously wonder if a heart beats in the man’s body. He absolutely kills you with everything else but his scoring. Finally, Jamison is my favorite among the "big 3", what a joke that has become, but cant play d cause he just does not have the physical tools.

I’m willing to sit this group of heartless wonders out 25 games to see if there is any signs of life but the depressing thing is that a turnaround would probably lead us to only 40 wins. I was expecting 50 before the season starts.

If we still are playing like this after 25 games, this team needs to be blown up for whatever scraps we can get. I for one, hope Gil gets so depressed that he gives up his contract so we can sign a real superstar next year.

I haven’t given up on this team, but I am starting to give up on

(1) the players’ willingness to play team ball instead of going one-on-one and jacking up jump shots all the time. How many times have we seen a quote like this one from Haywood, “It’s like the same old thing every game. They came out tough. We started playing one-on-one. We started taking bad shots. Can’t do it.”

(2) Flip’s ability/willingness to break this team of that habit. Tell ALL players that they will run the offense, or they will sit on the bench. And then follow through, even if it’s the big 3.

If the team is not getting close to .500 by mid January, it may be time to start selling off some players that the true contenders mght want and begin what will be a truly excurciating rebuilding process.

What a pity that would be… But if it has to be done, it should be done.

Grunfeld ought to hand out the truth serum and then call a team meeting to get to the bottom of the Wizard’s problem.

1) what’s the real injury status? Butler is hurt. How? Calves don’t pop. What’s the real story with MM? What’s the recovery period for DS’ back surgery? What limitations does Arenas have? etc. One doesn’t need to listen to Etan to know the Wiz medical staff is delusional. Flip needs to recognize injuries and manage to them. He’s been way off base so far.

2) what does Flip really think is the performance issue? Talent? Immaturity? No trust amongst teammate? No depth? Inability to grasp the new system? Lack of leadership? Gil’s erratic attitute and performance? The players’ assigned roles? The lack of buy-in to the assigned roles?

3) what do the players think is the performance issue? Do they understand that they are not even close to being a good team right now?

4) what’s it going to take to turn it around? (note: hard work and/or play aggressively is not the answer). They ought to discuss this as a team after all of the above questions are addressed and summarized for the group. (Top down management by the coach is not what is needed now).

We all are.